Start as you mean to go on…
Manchester United continued to show their early season promise as they won 4-0 for the second consecutive week last weekend, brushing aside a lacklustre Swansea City. West Bromich Albion and Huddersfield Town are the only other two sides to maintain their 100% records so far, whilst the other two promoted sides are both yet to earn a point.
Everton’s next league game sees them travel to Stamford Bridge to take on the defending champions on their home turf. Chelsea’s most recent game saw them take on a very good Tottenham Hotspur side in their debut league home fixture at Wembley Stadium. The Blues recovered from their opening day disappointment to claim all three points against Spurs, winning 2-1. Spanish fullback Marcos Alonso scored both goals for Chelsea, the first an excellent free-kick, either side of a Michy Batshuayi headed own-goal.
Much like many other clubs, Antonio Conte’s side have been significantly strengthened this summer through large amounts of expenditure being exhausted on fresh talent. Several big names have come into Chelsea’s Cobham training ground this summer for an excess of £127million, including Manchester City’s Willy Caballero, A.S. Roma’s Antonio Rüdiger, AS Monaco’s Tiemoué Bakayoko and Real Madrid’s Álvaro Morata.
However, Chelsea have made a healthy return of over £100million this summer, most notably from the departures of Asmir Begović, Juan Cuadrado, Christian Atsu, Bertrand Traoré, Nathan Aké, Nathaniel Chalobah and Nemanja Matić, as well as seeing young prospect Dominic Solanke and club captain and legend John Terry depart.
To get an inside view on all matters Chelsea, I spoke to Goal UK’s Chelsea correspondent, Nizaar Kinsella.
Firstly, we’ll start with signings. Chelsea have signed a number of top players this summer, spending a fair amount of money in the process. Are you happy with the acquisitions made thus far?
Chelsea aren’t completely happy about their summer business. They have signed three big names but they have sold off a ton of talent. Álvaro Morata, Tiémoué Bakayoko and Antonio Rüdiger look like they’ll fit in right away.
Chelsea’s net spend is only around £20million for the summer and it drops to -£30million if you include the sale of Oscar in January. Conte is keen to hammer home that point as he’s forced to select youngsters like Charly Musonda and Kyle Scott for the bench.
Are there any positions that you feel still need strengthening?
Chelsea are lacking in numbers or squad players ahead of the new season. They particularly need a couple of wing-backs and a central midfielder. They could always use another striker, someone like Fernando Llorente, perhaps.
So, obviously Chelsea missed out on signing Romelu Lukaku this summer, although they were able to bring in Morata as an alternative. Do you feel aggrieved at all that Lukaku chose Manchester over his boyhood club, or are you happy with what people are ultimately considering the club’s second choice?
Romelu Lukaku will be fantastic for Manchester United and he would have been for Chelsea but Morata is also a great signing. Even big, rich clubs miss out on targets from time to time. Conte can show his worth by winning titles through improving Morata as a player and getting him the service he needs.
So, the season before last was a huge disappointment, but now Chelsea seem to be back on track. Antonio Conte was able to win a Premier League title and pick up an FA Cup runners-up medal last season. Is he someone you’d like to remain at Chelsea for the long-term?
I think everyone is a little fed up of seeing a revolving door of managers at Stamford Bridge. Their formula has provided success but it also brings chaos. Conte is constantly linked with departing the club and it isn’t all happy but I think it would be a huge shame for that partnership to be broken up after a Premier League title in year one.
The Diego Costa saga has been well publicised this summer. Do you feel at all that the situation is damaging the club, and how would you like to see it resolved?
I’d like to see Diego Costa at Atlético Madrid as soon as possible for a fair fee for both clubs. Costa is a great player and it has been a pleasure to watch him, although he has come out of this transfer saga quite badly and all sides have lost considerable sums of money from it.
Now to the actual football. The opening day of the season wasn’t one to remember for the Blues, but the club got back on track against Spurs last weekend. Were you happy with that performance?
In Conte’s words, Chelsea “suffered” against Tottenham but won. It was a remarkable display in the circumstances. New tactics, half-fit players and a great opponent made the win seem unlikely but they did it. Chelsea still have problems to solve but on their day, they can win any match. They might be in slightly better condition for Everton.
Everton didn’t particularly enjoy playing Chelsea last season, losing 3-0 at home and 5-0 at Stamford Bridge. Do you think the players that Everton have signed will create more competitive fixtures between the two clubs this season?
Chelsea’s 5-0 win against Everton was one of the club’s best performances of the season but it was so one sided. Conte mentioned Everton in his first week as being contenders for the Champions League. Everton are a better side right now, in my opinion, but it is still a big ask to get to the next level.
How do you think Chelsea will set-up against the Toffees this time around?
I think they will go back to 3-4-3. They will miss Hazard but Pedro and Cesc Fàbregas are back available for selection. Bakayoko will also be worth a watch after his mixed debut last week.
Wayne Rooney is now two in two in the league. Do you see him as Everton’s biggest threat?
I think Rooney will have a good year but Everton have a lot of threats. I’m a huge Gylfi Sigurdsson fan too. He deserves to be at Everton and I think he’ll have a fantastic season. Chelsea are beatable on set plays. I saw a Sigurdsson assist at Stamford Bridge last season.
Finally, your prediction for the game?
Chelsea to win 2-1, but it could go either way after the last two results. Chelsea are unsettled, it’s certainly not a bad time to play them.
Follow Nizaar on Twitter @NizaarKinsella.
